What Pharmacy Owners Need to Know About the 2025 Payment-Rule Shake-Up

The Pharmacy Payments Landscape Is Changing

Keeping pace with change is part of running a modern pharmacy — but when it comes to online payments and digital accreditation, new regulations are reshaping what’s required to stay compliant.

At ScriptSafe, we believe that independent, board-certified pharmacies shouldn’t face unnecessary delays or fees when they simply want to process payments securely for their patients. Here’s what you need to know about the latest payment-industry updates and how they affect your business.

💳 1. Key Rule Changes That Matter

Visa’s Enhanced Data Program (CEDP)

Beginning in 2025, Visa is rolling out its Commercial Enhanced Data Program (CEDP) to replace older Level 2/3 data programs for commercial and purchasing cards.
If your pharmacy accepts business or HSA/FSA cards but isn’t passing the required data, you could see higher interchange rates and lose valuable cost savings.
→ [Learn more about interchange optimization](/accreditation)

PCI DSS 4.0 – Stronger Data Security Requirements

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) has been updated to version 4.0.1. It adds new expectations for:

• Multi-factor authentication

• Stricter patch and change management

• Script and injection protection

• Third-party vendor oversight

Even small, single-location pharmacies that accept online payments must understand these standards to stay compliant.
→ [View ScriptSafe’s compliance checklist](/faq)

High-Risk Merchant Rules for Pharmacies

The major card networks continue classifying pharmacy-related MCCs as higher risk—particularly when transactions involve mail order, compounding, or online sales.
Acquirers are demanding stronger documentation, verified pharmacy licensing, and proof of in-person operations.

🧾 2. What It Means for Your Pharmacy

• Higher Compliance Burden: Pharmacies that don’t meet enhanced-data or PCI standards risk higher processing fees or potential account holds.

• Documentation Matters: Licenses, physical-location verification, and compliance paperwork are now standard underwriting requirements.

• Accreditation Is Essential: Accreditation helps prove compliance upfront—reducing friction with acquirers and processors.

• Rising Costs: Network and risk-based fees continue to increase, especially for merchants without compliance verification.

🔒 3. How ScriptSafe Helps Pharmacies Stay Ahead

ScriptSafe provides Digital Pharmacy Payments Accreditation — an independent verification designed specifically for retail and community pharmacies.
Our process helps ensure your business meets acquirer and Visa requirements quickly and affordably.

With ScriptSafe, you’ll:

• Get verified within 10 business days

• Save up to $2,000 per year per location compared to traditional accreditation

• Demonstrate compliance with PCI and payment-network rules

• Protect your ability to accept secure, legitimate transactions

🚀 4. Stay Proactive, Stay Compliant

Don’t wait until your fees increase or your processor requests new documentation. These rule changes are reshaping pharmacy payments, but with ScriptSafe, staying compliant doesn’t have to be complicated.

Introducing ScriptSafe: A Faster, Trusted, and Affordable Way to Get Your Pharmacy Accredited

For years, independent pharmacies wanting to accept credit-card payments online only had two choices: LegitScript or NABP Digital Pharmacy Accreditation. Both are solid programs, but they’re expensive, slow, and often designed for fully online pharmacies — not for the thousands of local, board-certified pharmacies simply serving their own communities.

That’s where ScriptSafe comes in.
We built ScriptSafe to make the digital-pharmacy accreditation process simpler, faster, and more affordable — without cutting corners on trust or compliance.

What We Do

ScriptSafe provides digital accreditation that satisfies Visa and major payment-processor requirements. Our program verifies that a pharmacy:

• Holds an active, board-approved license

• Operates a physical retail location

• Complies with payment-industry and acquirer verification standards

• Does not engage in prohibited or high-risk drug sales

Once approved, pharmacies receive their official ScriptSafe accreditation — typically within 10 business days.

Why It Matters

If you’ve ever gone through the traditional accreditation process, you know it can take months and cost thousands of dollars.
ScriptSafe saves pharmacies up to $2,000 per year per location while helping them stay compliant and keep accepting payments without interruption.

We designed ScriptSafe for independent, community-focused pharmacies — not for large e-commerce operations. If you don’t need Google or Meta ad approval and simply want to take legitimate payments from your existing customers, ScriptSafe is built for you.

Built by Payments and Pharmacy Experts

ScriptSafe was founded by a team that understands both sides of the industry — payments and pharmacy.
We know what acquirers, underwriters, and processors look for, and we know what independent pharmacists need to stay operational and trusted.

Our mission is simple: help good pharmacies stay online and keep bad actors out.

Moving Forward

We believe accreditation shouldn’t be a barrier — it should be a bridge.
With ScriptSafe, pharmacies get verified faster, maintain compliance more easily, and save money in the process.

If you’re ready to simplify accreditation and secure your payment acceptance, visit www.ScriptSafe.com to learn more or start your application.